Roberto De Zerbi has expressed his apologies to Tottenham Hotspur fans who were upset by his earlier remarks about Mason Greenwood during his tenure as Marseille‘s head coach, emphasizing that he would never intentionally dismiss the serious issue of violence against women.
In the days leading up to his appointment as manager on Tuesday, De Zerbi encountered pushback from various Tottenham supporter groups regarding his supportive comments about former Manchester United forward Greenwood during their time together in Marseille.
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Greenwood was arrested in October 2022 on charges of attempted rape, coercive behavior, and assault, following the circulation of incriminating images and videos online. However, British prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2023, citing a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses” and a “lack of realistic prospect of conviction.”
In his first interview as Tottenham’s manager, conducted with the club’s media team, De Zerbi addressed his previous comments about Greenwood, opting to respond in his native Italian “to ensure clarity.”
“I have never intended to downplay the issue of violence against women or any form of violence,” De Zerbi stated. “In my life, I have always defended those who are vulnerable or fragile.
“I have always fought for those at risk. Those who know me well understand that I am not the type to compromise my principles in pursuit of more victories or titles.
“I apologize if my comments offended anyone. As a father to a daughter, I am particularly sensitive to these issues, and I have always been.
“I hope that over time, people will come to understand who I am and recognize that I did not intend to take a controversial stance at that time.”
During their time at Marseille, De Zerbi referred to Greenwood as a “good guy” who “paid dearly for what happened,” expressing regret for the circumstances he faced, stating that he knows a different person than what is often portrayed, particularly in England.
Following intensified speculation about De Zerbi’s appointment last week, various supporter groups, including Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, issued statements expressing their opposition. Nevertheless, the Italian was ultimately appointed.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust immediately voiced “serious and far-reaching concerns” about De Zerbi’s hiring.
Spurs looked to De Zerbi after parting ways with interim head coach Igor Tudor, who was dismissed as the team languished in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone amid a challenging season.
De Zerbi pledged to continue as manager next season, regardless of whether the club is relegated to the Championship. “I signed a five-year contract because for me, it represents a significant challenge. I will be Tottenham’s coach next season, no matter the circumstances,” he asserted.
“It’s a tough period for everyone at Tottenham, but I believe we have the qualities needed to overcome this situation. I have faith in the players and we need to remind ourselves of who we are and the caliber of players we have, working to rebuild their confidence and leverage their strengths.”
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.